Paul Tuerr
Although relaxing pursuits like fishing and painting now occupy some of his time, Paul Tuerr still controls the company he started half a century ago. Indeed, few people have led such an active life as he. As Paul points out: "I have always been very active. I always went to bed after midnight and was up again at six."

In 1947 Paul Tuerr graduated as a structural and architectural engineer from an engineering college in Stuttgart, Germany. That was a natural choice of profession for him, given that three generations of his family had already been involved in the building industry. Yet, in contrast to Canada, building codes and regulations in the European market were burdensome and restrictive.

Realizing the opportunities to be had in Canada, Paul Tuerr purchased a one-way ticket from Germany to Quebec City. Shortly after his arrival in Canada, he was working for a construction company in Kitchener. At the same time, Kitchener's population was about 40,000. Construction had just started on the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium, and East Avenue was only in the planning stage.

Working ambitiously from the start, Paul Tuerr strove to maximize his position in his new country. During his first month in Canada he worked unloading cement for 75 cents per hour, then as a carpenter for $32 per week. After that he joined a bricklaying firm in Toronto, but two months later he returned to Kitchener to work for a local contractor. In order to supplement his income, Paul Tuerr bought a drafting board and began drawing house plans in the evenings.

Paul Tuerr was only in Canada for seven months when he borrowed $1000 from a family friend and started his own construction company. Initially the company was owned by both Paul Tuerr and a business associate. However, after three months of operation, Paul Tuerr became the sole owner. The business initially operated out of a small room in his sister's house on Mill Street. The company's first project - a three bedroom home at the corner of Dominion and Park Street.

Local Projects
"I was fortunate in coming to Canada" explains Paul Tuerr. "I have been able to create what I wanted." Indeed, Paul Tuerr has created a lot over the last 50 years. His company built Metropolitan Towers near Union and Mary Street. That building was one of the first "high rise" apartments in Waterloo. A Paul Tuerr Construction subdivision in the Carwood Avenue area, near Rockway Golf Course, became the first of many development projects for the company. Over the years Paul Tuerr Construction developed more than 1000 acres across Waterloo Region.

Country Hills is a prime example of Paul Tuerr Construction's expertise. Combining community planning with environmental concerns, the subdivision incorporates schools, recreation sites, churches, plazas and commercial developments into a totally "people-planned" subdivision. In fact, in 1984 Paul Tuerr Construction became the first local developer to receive an award from the Region of Waterloo for an outstanding contribution to the natural environment.

Another subdivision - one that Paul Tuerr hopes to be his "crowning achievement" - is the Mannheim Village Estates. "It's a very special project" he notes. "I have worked for eleven years to get approval!". The project will feature large lots and luxury homes that fall in the $300,000 range. While Phase I of this project was completed ten years ago, the next phase is just getting under way.

Huron Business Park was another of Paul Tuerr Construction's land development holdings which was sold to the City of Kitchener in the early 1980s. Nearby, along Strasburg Road, south of Bleams, you will find a Pioneer Cemetery. In conjunction with Michael Klosch, a former history teacher at KCI, the company restored the cemetery and transferred its ownership to the City of Kitchener.

Paul Tuerr has also been involved in a wide range of other regional ventures. For instance, Paul Tuerr was the President of: Kaiser Investments, Top Developments, Scheurtue Investments, Dimension Investments, and he was also a Director of Buildevco.

Special Recognition
On June 23rd Paul Tuerr Construction held its 50th Anniversary celebration at the Walper Terrace Hotel. In attendance were representatives of both federal ad provincial governments, as well as regional politicians and business associates. With an appropriate sense of pride Paul Tuerr points out how he received certificates of recognition from both, Prime Minister Chretien and Premier Harris.

A Family Future
The Tuerrs have had a very dedicated family life. Even though Paul Tuerr was always working on something, where the family was involved, there was always total commitment, including Mrs. Tuerr and all three daughters. HIP Investments Limited, named for Helene, Ingrid, and Pauline, owner of the HIP Centre on River Road East, at Victoria Street, rent office space to Paul Tuerr Construction Limited.

It is clear that Paul Tuerr and his daughters are well-poised to enter the twenty-first century with vigour. Laughing at his age, Paul Tuerr asserts "I look forward to the next 20 years. I feel good."

Golden Jubilee Medal Presentation